Zlatan Ibrahimović is one of the most famous soccer players in the world. A fan favorite, he’s instantly recognizable, and people chant his name everywhere he goes. But for him, this is a problem. Not because he’s shy or unappreciative of his fans — but because there are over 800 million people around the world whose names should be chanted instead. Before the February 14, 2015 match between Paris Saint-German and Caen at Parc des Princes, he put the finishing touches on 50 names that are symbolic of a global crisis. During the game, he removed his jersey and brought these names to the forefront. What they represent will break you heart. To support the United Nations World Food Programme and Zlatan Ibrahimović’s fight against world hunger, make sure to donate here. This isn’t just a good cause. It’s an issue that, if solved, will help heal our entire planet. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/millions-of-names/
At the Humane Society of Missouri, a unique and incredible experiment is underway. Called the Shelter Buddies Reading Program, the project’s goal is to help antisocial and hyperactive dogs develop the social skills they need to get adopted. By enlisting the help of young children who love reading, the Humane Society hopes that these sessions will help animals come out of their shells. When you see how the pups respond, you’ll realize that this program is a home run. The method shown here helps dogs learn to come to the front of their cages when potential adopters walk by. If they meet people and interact, they’re far more likely to find forever homes. It’s ingenuity like this that has the potential to help thousands of animals in need. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/humane-society-kids/
When a stray cat got his head stuck between the bars of an iron fence, the Los Angeles Animal Services Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team, otherwise known as SMART, was called out to rescue the feline in distress. The stray, nicknamed Midnight by neighbors, was known to regularly go in and out of the bottom of the fence. But one day, after being cruelly shot twice with a BB gun, the poor kitty got scared and ran through the wrong hole. After trying to gently push his head back through the bars, the rescue team enlisted the help of a vet technician who sedated Midnight as the team successfully freed him from the gate. After his dramatic rescue, Midnight was taken to an animal shelter to be cared for, and I’m very happy to report that the little guy was adopted soon after by a loving family. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/fence-cat/
Residents of South Bend, Indiana, noticed a peculiar sound coming from their storm drain early one morning. The cries of two small kittens were enough to wake the suburbanites at 3:00 am. Concerned citizens in the area made several calls to the South Bend Animal Care and Control, Code Enforcement, as well as the Bureau of Sewers and Waste Water. Representatives from each department arrived on the scene as the sun rose to rescue the cute kitties. Workers used a fishing net and even climbed into the drain to bring them to safety. The first little guy was pretty easy to nab. YouTube They named him Stormy. YouTube His brother was a bit trickier, taking nearly an hour to get a hold of in the drain. He was named Jared, after his rescuer, Jared Reed. YouTube You can watch the whole emotional event in this video: (via The Dodo.) Reed, an employee of the Waste Water Department, told local news that he had been in the manholes many times before, but this was his first time going in for kittens. The fluffy brothers are currently receiving care at the South Bend Animal Care and Control and should be up for adoption soon. Read more: http://viralnova.com/drain-kittens/
One guy was just having an ordinary day at a beach in Arraial do Cabo in Brazil when he spotted something odd in the ocean. As soon as he realized what was going on, he began filming immediately. A pod of over thirty dolphins were swimming straight at him. It’s hard to say why the dolphins swam straight at the shore, but they were about to get into a bunch of trouble. The dolphins became beached and were stranded. Luckily, a crowd of bystanders were quick to react and came to their rescue. Watch the craziness unfold before your very eyes in the video below. (Source: crariyo) I personally think it’s rather fascinating how the dolphins almost seem to understand that the humans are helping them. They stopped struggling as they are dragged back to the sea, almost thankful for the help. (At least it seems that way to me.) One thing’s for sure, that is the last time these dolphins are going to let Dave lead. Share this crazy animal rescue video with your friends and family below. Read more: http://viralnova.com/beached-dolphins-rescued/
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DTBT_ATF’); }); Hero is normally a very quiet dog, so when he started whining incessantly one day, his owner knew something was very wrong. Four-year-old Sadie has type one diabetes and Down syndrome, which makes it quite difficult for her parents to monitor the little girl’s blood sugar levels. That’s where Hero comes in. The service dog has been specially trained to detect decreases in blood sugar. While many dogs have been trained to help diabetics in the same way, what Hero did one day is almost beyond comprehension. Little Sadie was at school five miles away from her home when Hero suddenly started whining to no end. Knowing something was wrong, her mom decided to call the school and ask them to check Sadie’s blood sugar. Everything looked fine at first, but within a half hour, it had dropped from 122 to 82. Hero somehow sensed what was wrong from miles away! Hero thoroughly deserves his name. If Sadie’s blood sugar had dropped any lower, she could have slipped into a diabetic coma. Service animals are so incredible at what they do, and their dedication is absolutely unmatched. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/blood-sugar-dog/
Being bound to a wheelchair doesn’t stop the dreams of those seeking to express themselves through the art of dance, and this breathtaking performance proves there’s a place for those of all physical abilities in the world of dance. The video shows Revere Dance Studio’s Wonders on Wheel team in a moving performance set to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” The dancers are joined by their ‘shadows’ – a group of dancers who act as their arms and legs during the performance. This is one inspirational dance that is sure to warm your heart. What an unforgettable performance. The pure joy the young lady around the fourth minute has on her face pretty much sums it up. Unadulterated happiness! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/wonders-on-wheels/
Mufasa was a mountain lion who had known nothing but a life full of misery. He spent 20 horrible years chained to the back of a pick-up truck in a Peruvian circus, but when kind rescuers from Animal Defenders International heard about his struggle and found a way to free him, they changed his life forever. The day Mufasa got his first taste of forest life is a moment that can’t be missed. Sadly, Mufasa passed away in late December of 2015, just a few months after he found freedom. His chained-up life in the circus irreparably damaged his health, and he was suffering from kidney failure. As sad as it is that he didn’t get to enjoy more time in his new forest home, never experiencing life in the wild at all would have been the real tragedy. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/mountain-lion-rescue/
Firefighters put their lives on the line each and every day so that we can stay safe in our homes. It’s so heartbreaking to see these men and women lose their lives and sustain devastating injuries while doing such selfless work. One man who knows that all too well is Mississippi-based firefighter Patrick Hardison. While responding to a call for a massive house fire back in 2001, the roof caved in on him, and the scalding materials melted straight through his mask. The resulting injury changed his life forever. Hardison — always a kind and gentle family man — decided to dedicate his life to helping others. NYU Langone via IFL Science But on that fateful day in 2001, he sustained an injury that totally changed the course of his life. He suffered massive burns that effectively stripped away his entire face. Not only did the wound wreak havoc on his physical health, but it also destroyed his self confidence. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center His emotional health was so shattered that he couldn’t even bear to look at himself in the mirror. One horrible accident robbed him of his personal identity. With support from his family and the tireless physicians at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, Hardison underwent the most intense facial transplant procedure in medical history. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center The operation took the team of 100 physicians and nurses 26 hours to complete, but fortunately, the strong guy made it through the entire ordeal without any complications. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center After 14 years, Patrick Hardison was able to see his reconstructed face for the first time in what proved to be a powerful moment for everyone involved. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center As he recovers, firefighters who were with him at the time of the accident come and spend time with him every week. While Hardison needs time to adjust to his new face, he’s so thankful to his loved ones and his dedicated medical team for helping him start this exciting new chapter. YouTube / NYU Langone Medical Center To hear more of Hardison’s incredible story, check out the video below: (via IFL Science) It’s absolutely incredible to see what physicians can do today to improve the lives of those who protect us. Patrick Hardison risked everything to help those in need, and it’s only fair that these amazing doctors returned the favor. We wish this brave firefighter and his family all the best! Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/face-transplant-miracle/
Killed in the line of duty while pursuing a double homicide suspect, Las Vegas Metro K9 Nicky was given a hero’s send-off and an emotional ‘bark of honor’ by his canine friends. The eight-year-old Belgian Malinois had worked with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for six years and survived a brutal stabbing just two months earlier before being shot during a deadly standoff with the armed murderer. In a touching tribute to their fallen comrade, a dozen other K9 units barked their goodbyes at the conclusion of Nicky’s funeral service. What a touching tribute to a fallen friend. To see the other K9 teams paired up like that, in honor of Nicky, really tugs at the heartstrings. Thank you for your service, Nicky Watch the rest of Nicky’s emotional memorial service: Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/bark-of-honor/
